ADOLESCENTS COMMUNICATION ENGAGEMENTS AND SOCIAL VALIDATION, LINGUISTIC ADAPTATION, ON SOCIAL NETWORKING PLATFORMS IN SOUTHWEST, NIGERIA

OGUNWEMIMO, OLUWAFISAYO O.; H. O. ADEKOYA, RICHARD; SHOLABOMI FLORENCE

doi:10.70382/sjhspsr.v8i6.021

Authors

DR. OGUNWEMIMO, OLUWAFISAYO O. Mass Communication Department, Babcock University, Ilishan Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria Author
PROF. H. O. ADEKOYA, RICHARD Mass Communication Department, Babcock University, Ilishan Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria Author
SHOLABOMI FLORENCE Mass Communication Department, Babcock University, Ilishan Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.70382/sjhspsr.v8i6.021

Keywords:

Adolescents, communication engagement, linguistic adaptation, social networking platforms, social validation

Abstract

This study examined the interplay between social validation, linguistic adaptation, and communication engagement among adolescents on social network platforms (SNPs) in Southwest Nigeria. An explanatory sequential mixed methods design was adopted. The population of study comprised 6,349,798 registered senior secondary students in the 19 Federal Government Unity (FGU) schools in the Southwest Nigeria for the quantitative aspect. For the qualitative aspect, 56 Focus Group Discussion (FGD) participants from the FGU schools were sampled, using maximal variation. Validated questionnaire, and FGD guide served as instruments. The study found that adolescents’ social media engagement involves both active and passive behaviours. Furthermore, adolescents are highly motivated by the validations they get from posting contents, and exhibited a flexible language use that includes memes and multiple languages on their SNPs. The study recommended that to improve adolescents’ SNPs’ engagements, there should be intervention strategies to promote healthier online engagements.